Tomorrow in your life
Chapter 4
"A lugubrious awakening"
Candy had the feeling of being thrown in a bottom less precipice spinning at the same time. Holding on to Romeo, seemed to calm her, so she didn't want to let him go…She was feeling better when she was holding him tight, he was her lifebuoy.
"Romeo, Romeo, how I love Romeo" she thought in her head.
Candy had trouble opening her eyes, her temples were hurting her; it was like they were hitting her with a hammer. She looked at the alarm clock on her night table. She had to concentrate, she couldn't read the time. It was 4:30 PM? No, there must be a mistake! She hadn't slept that long! She tried to stand up, but her head was so heavy and painful. She went to the bathroom to take a shower. She stayed a long time under the shower, the steam from the hot water made her feel good. She got dressed and went for a walk behind the school. The cold air was nice. She closed her eyes and was wondering what had happened the night before. She went to the Valentine's day dance, she danced with Terry – a dreamy moment – and then, nothing. She had a memory loss. And a very big headache, the hangover, in fact! She stayed against the tree for half an hour and went back to her room. She went back to bed and fell asleep again. She dreamed of Romeo… her Romeo; she was hang on to him with all her strength. She was waken up by a knock at the door. She stoop up against her will to open the door.
- Hi sleepy head! Said Annie
- Peek-a-boo Candy! Said Patty
- We brought you some food said Annie
- You slept all night and all day
- I don't feel like eating, thanks. What happened last night? Asked Candy
- You don't remember anything? Asked Annie
- I remember the party, the dance with Terry and then… nothing!
Candy remained silent when Annie and Patty told her what had happened the night before. She hung on to Terry like to a lifebuoy?
"Romeo don't leave me she heard in her head"
It was a weird feeling not no remember anything and to hear the story of what happened by other people, when she was the main character!
- You have nothing to say?
- What do you want me to say? I don't remember anything. I spent the night with the boy of my dreams and I don't even remember it!
- That's true, you spent the night with Terry and you don't even remember it! Said Annie, that's kind of funny
- I'm sure Terry is thinking the same thing, he spend the night with you and you won't recall it… that's not how he wanted to spend the first night with you, I'm sure of it…
- Patty, please, not now. Who could've done this to me? Said Candy
- Your rival said Patty, well we think it's her
- Lizzie?
- To make you sleep with Ethan
- What?
- So Terry wouldn't want you anymore…
Candy felt sad, very sad all of a sudden. Lizzie Barrington was so desperate that she turned to drugs? That's dangerous, very very dangerous! What did she do wrong? Meet Terry on the plane and find him likeable? Was it a crime to talk, write and dance with Terrence Grandchester? Patty was right, she had to be careful. Some drugs had terrible side effects and could even provoke cardiac arrest. She could have been taking some medicines that you couldn't mix with drugs… the result could have been fatal. All that for what? Because, she danced with Terry? Because Terry was looking at her tenderly? Was it worth risking her life that way? Terry… Romeo she loved him with all her heart. She never thought she would feel those feelings again after Anthony, but yes she had fallen in love with Terry. But if he continued to be with a monster like Lizzie, she won't be his friend anymore; she wouldn't want to risk her life. She had tears coming down her cheeks. Her two friends hugged her to console her.
Terry was with Lizzie and Ethan in his room, and he was unhappy. He wanted explanations. Lizzie continued denying and Ethan finally fess up and confessed everything. When he finished his story, Terry punched him on the face and ordered him to get out of his room. He stayed alone with Lizzie.
- Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie, why? Why risk the life of a poor young girl?
- Risk her life?
- Yes, risk her life! You may not know this, but mixing pills is dangerous! Drugs? That's shit! What did you give her? I want to know!
- But…
- What was it!
- I gave Rohypnol to Ethan and Ecstasy and vidocaine to Eliza to put in Candy's glass
- Rohypnol, the date rape drug? Ecstasy, vidocaine? Oh my God! Why?
- Because you were protecting her and I saw the way you looked at each other when you were dancing…
- The only crime Candy committed was to travel in the same plane as me. We became friends… Lizzie, your jealousy has gone too far… do you realise what you've done?
- I didn't want you to dump me; I wanted to make her less desirable to you…
- By asking Ethan to rape her?
Terry was outraged! Lizzie didn't seem to realise what she had done. She thought she was justified… incredible!
- Lizzie, I was with you. Did I give you the impression that I was going to dump you?
- No, but… the way you were looking at her…
- Did I give you the impression that I was getting tired of you?
- No…
- So, why were you so jealous, and not so sure of yourself? Because I was defending her?
- Yes, you didn't want to talk about her, you were protecting her…
- So she deserved to be raped by your cousin he said ironically. Lizzie, I'm sorry, I think it's better if…
- You don't want me anymore? She said horrified
- Lizzie, I can't be with a girl so mean…
- You want to be with her? Forgive me Terry, please. Forgive-me. I won't do it again, I swear to you. Don't dump me, I love you!
- I'm sorry. You deliberately wanted to hurt a girl because I looked at her… she could've died!
- But she's fine…
- I was with her all night, and I can tell you that she's far from being fine. And one more thing, where did you get the drugs?
- Euh…
- Where?
- In my purse…
- In your purse? I can assume that you were not keeping them for your cousin… Lizzie, you do know the mess drugs make?
- But everybody does it…
- Not "everybody"…
- You mean that you never tried?
- I limit myself to the cigarette… it's not because I play the rough guys that I do drugs… Pills are not good Lizzie. You have to stop. Now, can you leave? I need to me alone
- But Terry…
- It's over, Lizzie. Done.
- Go to hell! Go be with your dirty little blond you blo…
- LIZZIE, OUT!
Lizzie had to leave. She was angry against Candy. She was going to make her pay. But deep down inside, she knew her plan didn't work as she hoped… in fact it backfired, big time! That idiot of Eliza was right; Candy always falls back on her feet. She will have Terry now, that pious hypocrite! That stupid Ethan couldn't put her in his bed in time. Terry had arrived too soon… which had spoiled her improvised plan in the last minute. She now had to live with the consequences of her actions.
Candy was sick for a week. She had no appetite, he mouth was bitter and she had lost some weight. The nuns told Stear, her cousin and the eldest, to take her to the hospital. After a few tests, the doctors told Stear the she had traces of Rohypnol, ecstasy and vidocaine. They advised her to stay in bed and to drink a lot of water and to eat.
- I still can't believe that you were drugged said Stear, my God
- It could've been worse Stear said Candy
- Did you hear that he broke up with Elizabeth?
- Oh…, simply said Candy
He couldn't stay with her after her desperate gesture. She was happy inside, not because he broke up with Lizzie, but because he couldn't stay with her after what she had done.
" Thanks Terry she said in her head"
Terry knew he had give Candy some space, so she could heal emotionally, physically and morally. She paid hard for their friendship. She was so sweet and kind. He was feeling a little guilty too; after all, Lizzie attacked Candy because of him. But he wanted to see Candy's pretty little face. The night he spent with her- even if it wasn't like that he wanted to spend their first night together- was magnificent. Taking care of her while she was sick, was a pleasure. To see her so fragile and so strong at the same time, was a treat; she didn't want to let go of him, she wanted her Romeo…
- You're thinking about Romeo? Asked Annie to Candy
- Romeo?
- That's how you were calling Terry when you were delirious…
"Romeo… I love you" she heard in her head.
- Oh my God, I thought I was dreaming
- You remembered something?
- Yes, I was calling Romeo…
- Candy, if I had doubts before, I'm now convinced that you and Terry are made for each other…
- Annie, not now, I don't feel like doing anything…
- You want to see Terry?
- Yes, but…
- You don't have the strength to go to the computer? The side effects from the drugs. Get some rest. I'll bring you a glass of water.
- Thanks Annie. Why doesn't he come to see me?
- Terry? He probably wants to give you some space. After all, it's his fault…
- That's ridiculous said Candy, he's not responsible for Lizzie's actions
- Did you hear the news said Patty coming in, Eliza was the one who put the ecstasy and vidocaine pills in your glass…
- WHAT! Said Annie
- She was working with Lizzie…
- I'm not even surprised, said Candy; she hates me as much as Lizzie, if not more…
- Come on Candy, said Patty, we love you
- Yes, said Annie, We love you so much…
- I love you too said Candy smiling.
Days and weeks passed and Candy was still staying away from Terry. Even if he was not with Lizzie anymore, she needed an emotional rest. Terry understood and didn't bother her either. But he missed her. Especially her e-mails. Romeo needed his Freckles. But he had to let her time to heal after all the drugs they gave her could have been fatal. And she almost got raped…her friendship for him had cost her a lot. Ethan… Ethan had become the pet aversion of the school; no one was talking to him after they heard what had happened with Candy. The date rape drug? It was already a crime to force oneself on a girl, but to drug her on top of that? Lizzie didn't give him her car, since the plan didn't work. She and her group continued to talk to him.
Fortunately the teachers and the nuns didn't find out about it. Terry had spend the night taking care of Candy; she didn't want him to go he was her lifebuoy … and now, he was watching her from a far with her friends and her beautiful smile and her emerald eyes. He had to be patient.
Terry was in his bedroom looking at the pictures of Candy on the computer. He wanted to see her. He couldn't take it anymore; he decided to go see her in her room.
Candy had finally turned her computer on and she was answering all of her e-mails. She told Miss Pony and Sister Maria that she had been sick without getting into too much detail.
She was grateful to the Uncle William to have donated computers to the Pony house and installed the Internet. She could now, communicate with her two mothers regularly, not to mention all of her little friends. She had also received the hard copies of the pictures from the plane that Georges had sent her.
Miss Candy,
Here are the pictures from the plane in double, in case you meet your friend from the plane, you could give him a copy of each photograph. I hope you're feeling alright.
Sincerely,
George
She separated the pictures into two piles. She took an envelope and put the copies for Terry. She will give it to him when she goes to school the next day. She heard noise at the window and she saw Terry. She was surprised to see him, she opened the window and let him in.
- Good evening, Freckles
- Romeo she said softly
She jumped to his neck; Terry was surprised but glad.
- Thanks Romeo, thanks for being there for me
- You remember?
- No, she said letting go of him, they told me
- Oh… you're not mad at me?
- Why?
- To have provoked all this
- You're not responsible for Lizzie, Ethan of Eliza's actions
- I want to apologise for them
- No need, Terry. I'm happy to see you
- I stayed away to let you heal
- I know. I missed you.
- I miss you too. I broke up with Elizabeth…
- So I've heard
- And you were…
- Relieved to see that you couldn't stay with her after this fiasco…
- That's all?
- I was sorry for you. But it's good to know that you're against certain drugs…
- Certain…
- Yes, cigarette is a form of drug, the nicotine…
- Oh…
- It's not good for your health
- I get your message
Terry sat on the bed.
- You want something to drink? I don't have alcohol, sorry
- Fruit juice is fine. Thanks she said when she gave him the cold bottle.
She took the envelope with the picture and gave it to him.
- I got the pictures from the plane
- Thanks
Terry wanted to say more, but he said to himself that it was too soon. He wanted to let her breathe before making his big declaration. He looked around and saw Anthony's picture, still there on her night table. She called him when she was delirious, but she also told Romeo she loved him…
Candy had followed his eyes.
" He's looking at Anthony's picture"
- I have to go said Terry, thanks for the pictures
Before Candy could say anything, he was already gone. She let him go, she didn't call him back. She wasn't ready yet.
Candy was strong in science. The teachers had asked her to help a boy named Carl Hensley. She accepted with joy, she was always ready to help others. She helped him during her free time after class. Candy fascinated Carl; he was in the soccer team. He was big, brown hair, grey eyes and was very attractive. But he had heard the rumour that Grandchester had ordered all the boys to leave Candy alone. He had a girlfriend anyway.
Candy was wondering why Carl didn't even flirt with her. In fact ever since she arrived at St. Paul Academy, the attention of the opposite sex had practically vanished. Vanished? What was going on? She didn't think she was all that, but she knew she attracted the boys' attention… She helped a lot of boys and none of them even invited her somewhere. Some of them had girlfriends but those who didn't have any, weren't even trying. She didn't want to feel pretentious, so didn't talked about it to anybody. She even forgot about it.
Easter vacation arrived. Stear and Archie went to Saudi Arabia to see their parents. Annie went to see her mother in Paris; Patty went to see her Grandmother in Ireland. Neil and Eliza went to Chicago to see their parents. Candy stayed in school with a few students, whose parents were dead like Candy's or were too busy. George had wrote her that she could stay in school, because Uncle William was in a business trip, of to go where she wanted with her friends. He also told her to keep her cell phone open in case Uncle William and him came to London, they could contact her so they could see each other.
She went on he pretend Pony hill. It was spring, and the trees started to burgeon and the leaves were growing. She climbed on a tree. She was wearing a green training and white baskets. She had headphones and a CD player. She was listening to her favourite music, a series of slows, love songs. She started to sing the song she was listening to; "Through he years" by Kenny Rogers. Like any person signing with headphones, she was screaming...
I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do
Through the years You've never let me down
You turned my life around
The sweetest days I've found I've found with you
Through the years I've never been afraid
I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed Right here with you
Through the years
I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted, whom I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more
Through the years
Through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had I've always been so glad
To be with you Through the years
It's better everyday You've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay I'll stay with you
Through the years
Through the years When everything went wrong
Together we were strong
I know that I belonged Right here with you
Through the years I never had a doubt
We'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about By loving you
Through the years
Through the years You've never let me down
You've turned my life around
The sweetest days I've found I've found with you
Through the years It's better everyday
You've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay I'll stay with you
Through the years
When the song ended, before the next one started, she heard clapping.
- BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO! Miss Tarzan!
She looked down; it was Terry's voice. She took her headphones off and came down the tree, and went near him.
- Terry? I thought you were gone on vacation, you're not going to see your family?
- I'm going tomorrow morning. My family is leaving for Hawaii tonight
- And you're not going with them because…
- … I don't feel like it.
- Oh… Are they that terrible? She joked.
- Worse! He said laughing, what about you?
- Euh, well my Uncle William maybe, will come to see me…
- "Maybe"? Asked Terry, in the mean time you're going to be moping here alone…
- That was the plan…
- Borrinngg!
- You have a better solution? She joked
He remained silent for a while and he said:
- You want to come and spend the vacations with me?
- No, thanks, she joked, I'd rather die of boredom…!
- I'm not joking… I'm serious
- You're serious?
- As a heart attack…
- Oh … the cynical…
- So, what do you say?
- I'm not sure…
- Come on Freckles, my father's villa is big, there are employees and my family won't be there
Candy remained silent for a moment. On one hand she had total boredom in school, on the hand, the Grandchester villa, staff and freedom. What about Uncle William? What if he came? He could always call her on her cell phone. And there was Terry's company. Terry's proposition was certainly better than the almost empty school.
- Ok, Romeo, let's do it!
Terry had a happy smile.
- Perfect, I will wait for you in front of the school at 1o tomorrow morning
- I'll be ready Romeo
- See you tomorrow, Freckles
Terry was happy. The idea of inviting Candy came spontaneously. He didn't hope for anything, he just didn't want her to stay in college doing nothing. He would at least get the pleasure of her company.
Candy told the sisters that she was invited to spent her Easter vacation at the Grandchester and if her Uncle William calls, to give him the Grandchester's number. The sisters were a little surprised, but during the vacation the students were allowed to leave.
She arranged her stuff, took her laptop and a few CD. She went to bed without checking her e-mail. She was going to spend the next two weeks with Terry;
"Come what may!" She said to herself.
Terry was waiting for her in front of the school with a red Jaguar.
- You have this car here in school?
- Being the son of a duke has its advantages…
- Yes, apparently
He helped her with her luggage. He put them in the back trunk of his car. She was surprised to find it empty.
- You don't have any luggage?
- I'm going home?
- You don't even have dirty laundry?
- No
- Wow…